Page 210 of Paradox
"Six forty-fiveam," Carey answers for him.
"For the love of Christ," I mumble down at my chest as I slide my wallet into my back pocket.
"It was your idea to hire him."
I glance at Tek from the corner of my eye. "If I'd known he'd still be here a year later…"
"Who needs who?" Carey asks from across the room.
"We need you, dear brother."
"And he'll never let us forget it." Tek and I both look over to Reeze. His head is still down, but he's got a smug grin on his face.
"Hey. You're meant to be the good one."
"You sure about that?" Reeze tilts his head just enough to look at Carey.
"Yes I'm sur—"
"Aaand on that note," I interrupt, walking backwards towards the door. "I'm out. Reeze, don't destroy the place while we're gone. And I'll see you two in the morning."
It's fucking cold outside. A hell of a lot colder than it was this time last year.
The main street is decorated with all the typical fall bullshit. There are pumpkins and crates out the front of most of the shops—ours included, and garlands hang across the road between the lamp posts.
Six months ago we voted in a new mayor, and shit has never moved so fast in Broadrock. It's new and weird, but also great because the shop has never been this busy so close to Christmas. Which is another reason why this vacation feels so deserved.
I continue down the main street until I reach the traffic lights at the southern end.
I join the small group of people waiting to cross over to the town square markets—now a regular Saturday fixture—beside the playground, and I find myself smiling.
I don't know if it's just because I'm genuinely happy for the first time in my life, but Broadrock really doesn't feel like a crappy little town anymore. The kind that keeps souls born here trapped, and where knowing everyone's business is a burden. I'm not saying I need to be best friends with the other store owners, or join the town council, but I swear the place looks brighter. The temperature is hovering just above freezing, but it still feels like the centre of the goddamn universe.
I walk with the crowd towards the rows of stalls, all set up beneath matching white canopies. There are organic fruits and vegetables. Arts and crafts of every single persuasion. And right in the middle of the second last row—chatting to a customer, in all his glory—is my heart, my soul, and my entire reason for living.
My god, I'm a soppy fuck.
I guess finding your soulmate will do that to even the biggest of assholes.
Holding back, I watch Jin bag up a giant loaf of sourdough, and as he hands it to the woman who bought it, he sees me for the first time.
The smile on his face is instant, and my stomach flips the second his cheeks form those amazing, sexy dimples.
As soon as the customer steps away to look at the next stall, Jin starts fidgeting with his fingers. He raises up and down on tiptoes a few times, and I know he’s trying his hardest to remain professional when all he wants to do is run into my arms.
Putting him out of his misery, I slip my hands into my pockets, and approach.
I pretend I'm a customer and stop right beside him. Rocking back and forth on my heels, I look over what’s left of the bread he spent the last two days preparing. "What's good today?"
“The gochujang sourdough is still my biggest seller.”
“You were onto something all the way back then.”
Jin steps closer to my side until our arms are touching. “I taught you pretty quickly that I understand flavors better than you.”
I take my hand out of my pocket and place it on his lower back. “You know a lot of things better than me, Little One.” Giving in to the temptation, Jin shuffles in front of me so I can wrap my arms around him from behind. “I’m so proud of you,” I tell him, and rest my chin on the top of his head.
“I couldn’t have done it without you.”
